At the centre of your being you have the answer, you know who you are and you know what you want ~ Lao Tzu

Wednesday, January 23

WOYWW 190 - Trying something new...

Well, it's Wednesday again, and we know what that means - a quick peek into the lives of others and what's on their workdesks, and it's all hosted by the lovely Julia over at the Stamping Ground.

Here's my busy desk


I shared on Saturday how I've decided to be brave and try something new - I've never worked with acrylics before, and I really don't what I'm doing with them...

But I've been working in an old diary...


... and gessoing over pages.


This was Saturday's painting - clearly my subconscious was in control as I didn't have anything in mind at all when I started to paint...


Today was different, as I pulled this quote randomly from my box...


... and immediately painted this...


There's no surprise why the figure is so bundled up, as this is the view from my garden...


 
... we've had several inches over the last couple of days.
 
 

I'm still learning what acrylics can and can't do, and I'm still figuring out how to blend them without too much water - they behave nothing like watercolours!!! 

But playing in an old diary is a perfect way to experiment and really not care about the results!

I did like having the quote as a prompt though :)

Can't wait to see what everyone's else has been doing this week...






42 comments:

Ann B said...

Good for you for trying something new always good to get the mind going. I have a 'few' acrylics on my desk this week (got the day wrong for my post - it wasn't really Sunday when I did it)
Ann b30

voodoo vixen said...

It's always fun to try something totally different and I love the results you are getting and you get to use an old diary at the same time, bonus!! Yikes to the snow, we have it but not as deep as yours, brilliant photos! Annette #18

Tuire Flemming said...

Playing with those acrylics, you may discover something totally new! Try to mix them with other waterbased colours...
Looks as snowy as here. You have to wait your snail mail still a bit - our snails seems to be frozen... ;)
Thanks for visiting! Have a happy Wednesday!
Tuire #7

Hardwick Creations said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynn Holland said...

Hi Claire
Your letter arrived yesterday, clutched in the frozen hands of Postman John in his little red van (no cat though like postman pat). I loved it, you can't beat a bit of snail mail.
I insist you share your new book pages with us at SKETCHBOOK FRIENDS BLOG. I won't take no for an answer.
Lynn x

www.sketchbookfriends.blogspot.com

Jackie said...

Your snow picture is lovely I ment to add one to my post and forgot!!!
Great to see you working on your journal... I think using the quote is a good idea
Jackie 16

Helen said...

Great work in your old diary! And nice to see your snowy pics too, though I personally have had enough of it now...! Helen, 9

okienurse said...

brrr...looking at your snowy pic makes me want to run get another sweater! I think your journal is turning out well. I use acrylics a lot and enjoy them! Have a great week. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #35

Neil said...

Good morning.
Just popping over to say Hi. You've been having fun I see. I hope you have a good and creative week to follow.
Neil#17

JoZart Designs said...

Great quote and great interpretation. love the gothic arch door in babushka's skirt! lovely snow pics but Brrrrr! We can do without it!
Jo x

BJ said...

Well done you to step out of your comfort zone. Your painting is coing on great. Thanks for stopping by BJ#27

sandra de said...

Well done for trying something new lots of possibilities and I am sure endless learning moments. Love your snow pics.
Sandra @67

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Well done for trying something new. that was my one real resolution for this year, to try new things. Acrylics is something out of my comfort zone, but I do have a set of acrylic inks to test out next. If we don't try new things, we would soon get bored. Thank you for your visit today, and I am looking forward to seeing the results of your acrylic work. xx Maggie #20

MrsC.x said...

great work in your old diary and good luck with the acrylics

Happy WOYWW Mrs.C #45
craftylittlemoos.blogspot.com

ria gall said...

How brave to be trying something new, it is good for the soul. I love your paintings very thought provoking.
Ria #92

Hardwick Creations said...

Gosh I can't get over all the snow...here is is a balmy 90 degrees (32 degrees celcius)! I too am trying new things (mixed media on canvas)...it is always good to try something new.

Oops, I'm actually #39...I should put my glasses on...lol

Jackie said...

Our snow has started melting now, I hope your's is going too.Thanks for sharing your work this week :)

Anonymous said...

What great photos - love that lacy bush. And love the idea or re-purposing an old diary (I have so many of them!) to play in. Waste not, want not and all that.

Happy WOYWW!

MA(11)

Minxy said...

How exciting to be taking on a new adventure in your art, hope you have lots of fun, your work so far looks great.
Happy WOYWW
Hugz Minxy #48

Nelle said...

I am not a painter by any means, but think this is a nice way to play with paints. what ever comes from within is beautiful.....
Once we to use you quote..
Open the inside door we let the world see who and what we really are.
Love this so much..
Regards,
Nelle xx #89

Gibby Frogett said...

Happy WOYWW.. great photos - love your acrylic ideas. Our snow is now slusy and melting..roll on springtime :) .... Gill x (#97)

Anonymous said...

It can be scary trying something new and then when we do we often wonder what all the fuss was about, lol! Love the pages and the quote for today and the lovely snowy photos, but what has really caught my eye is the saying on the lovely postcard at the top right of your desk!

Hugs
Brenda 105

Pam said...

Great work. Hugs Pam x

Julia Dunnit said...

Ooh no, they certainly don't behave like water colours. And they make a horrid muddy puddle when they misbehave too! Good for you for expanding the sides of your box..the subconscious you work from is really very artistic!

Almo said...

Hi Claire, great that you are trying something new. I like working with acrylics, I use them with very little or no water usually on canvas or wood. Your book page is coming on a treat I like the way you have let the sentiment and what you can see around you show you the way. Mo x

SandeeNC said...

You're right acrylics are nothing like water colors, but they each are wonderful to work with! LOVE the snow laded pictures, I wish we would get a pretty snow like that!Thanks for visiting my desk, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥

Andrea said...

Thanks for visiting and your kind comment.what a great idea to use an old diary .good luck with your painting your obviously a natural as they look great I cant wait to see more of your creations.love the garden photos always better from the inside BRRR... have a great week too Andrea#6

donnalouiserodgers said...

experimentation will teach you lots and the packaging always has tips, you did good with your acrylics- clever gal eh?

dxxx

donnalouiserodgers said...

experimentation will teach you lots and the packaging always has tips, you did good with your acrylics- clever gal eh?

dxxx

fairy thoughts said...

sounds like you are having great fun with your acylics. there are lots of tutorials etc on you tube and have a looka at creative jump start the is bound to be something on there. Love the ptoto of your furniture, something different to all the trees :)
stay warm
janet #30

Lucy said...

Acrylics are my favourite paint to work with, just slap it on! Love the thought of pulling out a quote to get the creative juices flowing. Your picture is great. Thanks for popping by:) Lucy #18 x

April said...

It is great to be so inspired by a quote. I can't wait to see more of your artwork. The pictures of your garden are lovely. Winter is my favorite season. April #141

Sue from Oregon said...

Ohhh it looks so cold! How fun to try your new project-how brave! HAPPY WOYWW!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Thanks for stopping by, wow so many have snow...we've had no ice or snow most of the winter. Today below zero and high dangerous winds. Good to be inside. Have fun with the acylics and Happy WOYWW

scrappymo! said...

What a great use for an old diary...love the idea of chosing a quote to spark your page!

Love the snow picture of your lovely patio furniture.

KatzElbows said...

I adore acrylic paint. And don't worry that you don't know what you're doing, that's part of the fun, especially when you're creating fab pages like these.

Thank you for stopping by and being lovely.
Cheers, Rachel.

Kim said...

That's a great idea - I've been using acrylics too - as a very new to journalling journaller (!) they scare me to death but hopefully patience will reward me! Kim #156 xx

trisha too said...

Well Claire that IS a busy desk, and such pretty snow photos!

Happy WOYWW!
:)trisha #164 this week
and a little late!

Tracy said...

I have some acrylic inks which are great as they act like watercolours but don't mix once they're dry if you want to layer up. I like your 'inner door' piece.

peggy aplSEEDS said...

i'm dropping by to say hi! great idea to use an old diary and use quote for prompts. looking good so far! have fun practicing!
happy WOYWW!
hugs,#25
peggy aplSEEDS

Ali said...

Doing a belated skip around the WOYWW posts!

I love your experimentation in your old diary - fabulous paintings. :)

Ali #77

Lori said...

Love the painting. Keep it up!!! You will get addicted. I did!!
Very late this week. Sorry.
Lori #129